The Bills already were without rookie quarterback EJ Manuel, who appeared to be the leading candidate to start the Sept. 8 opener against the New England Patriots before having minor knee surgery Aug. 18.

If Manuel can't go, Jeff Tuel – an undrafted rookie from Washington State – will start in Week 1.

The Bills signed Leinart and traded for Thaddeus Lewis to get through Thursday's preseason finale. Leinart was released after a shaky 3-for-10 performance against the Detroit Lions.

The next question for Kolb is whether his career is over, too. In six NFL seasons, he has suffered at least two other concussions, including one that opened the door for Michael Vick to take the starting job with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010.

Kolb spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he failed to secure the starting job because of an assortment of injuries, including a concussion in 2011. He switched to a new helmet the following year – one meant to give additional protection to the back of his head.

Seahawks cut former Pro Bowler

Former Pro Bowl fullback Michael Robinson is out in Seattle. Robinson, 30, announced news of his release from the Seahawks on Twitter.

Robinson was set to make $2.5 million this year, a hefty salary for a fullback, though none of that money was guaranteed. Robinson has been away from the team for nearly two weeks because of what head coach Pete Carroll had described as a virus.

While Robinson was away, the Seahawks relied on rookie fullbacks Derrick Coleman and Spencer Ware.

Robinson played in every game last season, with six starts as the lead blocker for Marshawn Lynch. He was also an important part of the Seahawks' special teams units and was voted as a team captain. Robinson was originally drafted in 2006 out of Penn State by San Francisco, where he played for four seasons.

Webb, 25, made the Bears roster as a seventh-round draft pick out of West Texas A&M in 2010 and started 44 games, including all 32 at left tackle the past two seasons.

But he didn't fit into new coach Marc Trestman's plans, even after agreeing to reduce his 2013 base salary from $1.323 million to $630,000 two weeks ago.

The Bears opened camp with Webb at right tackle and Jermon Bushrod playing the left side. But rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Mills beat out Webb for the starting job.

The team parted with 16 other players Friday, including journeymen quarterbacks Trent Edwards and Jordan Palmer.

Cardinals won't get first-round pick back this season

Whatever slim chance Arizona Cardinals rookie guard Jonathan Cooper had of returning this season from a broken leg is gone.

The Cardinals ended his season by placing him on injured reserve Friday, six days after he was hurt in the third preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. Cooper had surgery Sunday.

The Cardinals chose not to use their lone option to recall Cooper, the No. 7 pick in the draft, from IR later in the season.

"Based on the medical prognosis and weighing all of the other factors, we decided that placing him on IR made the most sense for the team and for Jonathan," Arizona general manager Steve Keim said in a statement. "Knowing his work ethic and commitment, we have no doubt Jonathan will come out of this experience fully ready to be a key contributor next season and for many more beyond that."

The NFL announced Friday it has suspended Cincinnati Bengals defensive end DeQuin Evans for eight games for a second violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Evans, 26, served a four-game suspension in 2011 while on the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad injured list. He spent last season on the practice squad as well and has not appeared in an NFL game.

"After many weeks of investigating possible sources, including possible medical causes, I remained frustrated that I don't know the source," Evans said in a statement issued to USA TODAY Sports through his agent, Greg Linton. "The supplements that I have taken do not list any ingredients that are banned substances, but the NFL policy is strict, so I am accountable for the results.

"I'm deeply sorry for the effect of this situation on my teammates and coaches. I will work hard during the time away from the field, and I hope to be able to contribute on the filed the moment the suspension is over."

Per its policy, the NFL did not release details on why Evans has been suspended.

Broncos release RB Lance Ball

Running back Lance Ball, who played in 41 games for the Broncos over the last three seasons, was among the first players released Friday as the team worked its way closer to the 53-man roster limit.

Ball leaves Denver with four career touchdowns – two each rushing and receiving – and a solid resume as a dependable rusher and special teams player.

"Closing another chapter in my book, thanks to the Broncos Organization for the years of great memories and also the fans who supported me!" Ball wrote on his Twitter account.

Ball had several factors working against him in his bid to make the Broncos' roster for a fourth season, including a guaranteed salary of $1.323 million had he made the team. He had fallen behind second-year player Ronnie Hillman, rookie second-round pick Montee Ball, Knowshon Moreno, and Jeremiah Johnson on the depth chart.

Ball's departure likely means the Broncos will keep undrafted rookie C.J. Anderson, who had also been playing ahead of Ball, on the 53-man roster. Anderson suffered an MCL injury on Aug. 15. He missed the remainder of the preseason but is off crutches and is expected to return to the field in less than a month.

Wood signs extension

The Bills announced they signed center Eric Wood to a contract extension. Terms weren't disclosed.

Wood, 27, has started 47 games over four NFL seasons. He had been due $2.3 million in base salary on the last year of the five-year rookie contract he signed as the 28th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Browns cut Rob Gronkowski's bother

The Cleveland Browns released seven players, including tight end Dan Gronkowski, the older brother of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Dan Gronkowski, 28, last played in the regular season in 2011 with the Patriots and Browns, who released him in the final cutdown last year as well and re-signed him in January.

His best NFL season was in 2010, when he appeared in 12 games (four starts) and caught eight passes for 65 yards with the Denver Broncos. He was with the Lions before that.

When the San Diego Chargers signed veteran left tackle Max Starks in June, they hoped Starks could provide serious competition at left tackle and better protection for quarterback Philip Rivers.

But Starks, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers starter, was never able to overtake King Dunlap, a free agent from Philadelphia, and Starks was among the first wave of players the Chargers released Friday in the final round of roster cuts.